Savoring Cilantro

Mention the word “cilantro” at any social gathering and you’re likely to get one of two responses: a rapturous “Love it!” or an emphatic ”Hate it!” Those who love the fresh form of the annual herb Coriandrum sativum rave about its distinct herbaceous quality and unique flavor; those who disparage it will demean its “soapy” aftertaste and overwhelming pungency. There is even a Web site called IHateCilantro.com! But no matter which camp you fall into, it cannot be denied that cilantro boasts definite health benefits.

Did You Know? It’s easy to grow your own cilantro in the ground or in pots. Cilantro grows best in cool but sunny conditions, and should be shaded during the hottest part of the day.

THEN There are two components to the plant, categorizing it as both herb and spice: the fresh leaves and stem—known variously as cilantro, Chinese parsley, or Mexican parsley—and the dried seeds, known as coriander or coriander seed. Coriander use is recorded as far back as 5000 BC, which makes it one of the oldest known spices. Over the centuries, coriander has been used in folk medicine for a variety of maladies. In Iran, it was employed as a treatment for anxiety and insomnia; in India, it was used as a diuretic; and holistic medicine in several cultures found it useful for curbing flatulence—always a benefit!

NOW Modern medicine has identified a number of beneficial qualities in coriander. Studies have shown it to be helpful in controlling blood sugar, cholesterol, and free radical production. It appears that the volatile oils in cilantro leaves, which are rich in phytonutrients, may have antimicrobial properties as well. And according to some research, it may help detoxify heavy metals from the body.

HOW Impressd with cilantro’s health benefits? Time to get cilantro into your daily diet. Here are a few tips for selecting and storing:

Cilantro should be fresh, perky, and bright green, with no wilting.

To store, trim the bottoms of the bunch, place in a jar of water, cover with plastic, and refrigerate.

For the seed, best to buy it whole and grind as needed—easy to do with a mortar and pestle; or keep a jar of ground spice tightly sealed in a dark place.

There are multitudes of simple ways to incorporate cilantro into your daily diet: sprinkle a little ground coriander on fish before grilling; stir some chopped fresh cilantro into a quick chicken-vegetable soup; make a dip for veggies with nonfat yogurt, chopped spring onions, and cilantro; or make a healthful, delicious meal of the sandwich and salsa recipe on this page.

Eggplant and Chickpea Pita pocket Serves 8

Pair this sandwich with a crunchy green salad for a quick and easy light supper on a warm summer evening.

Neil Zevnik

Neil Zevnik is a private chef based in Los Angeles who is devoted to the proposition that “healthy” doesn’t have to mean “ho-hum”. His client list includes the famous and the not-so, among them Elizabeth Taylor, Pierce Brosnan, and the owners of the L.A. Dodgers. He has appeared on numerous TV shows, has been profiled in People magazine and the Los Angeles Times. On weekends, he takes great pleasure in being a marine mammal rescue volunteer. His passionate (some would say obsessive) hobby is collecting vintage costume jewelry, and he has possibly one of the largest and most wide-ranging collections in the country. He resides in Burbank, where he tends to an extensive organic garden and hangs out with his faithful pound-pup Jane. Visit him online at huffingtonpost.com/neil-zevnik.